At the Highlander's Mercy

by TERRI BRISBIN

  Rob climbed from the bed and found more wine. Filling a cup, he walked to one of the two windows in the chamber and stared out into the darkness. Lilidh a virgin?

  He swallowed deeply from the cup and considered how a thing would have been possible. Had Iain been ill during their marriage? Hell, Rob would have had to be dead before he would neglect her as his wife. Yet, clearly Iain had not.

  If you did not want me before because of my leg, how can you want me now?

  The question she’d asked him gave him pause now. Had her injury presented such an obstacle to her new husband that he did not bed her because of it?

  Daft man, then. But had she told her parents of her marriage’s failure? Was that why she returned home? Did anyone know the truth?

  But now he’d not only taken her virginity, he’d spilled his seed within her. That changed everything … or did it? In the way in which this whole situation would play out over the coming weeks? He just did not know. Did it make him want to claim her and keep her? He wanted to scream out the words now.

  But could he? Chances were that the most likely outcome would be Lilidh’s return to her family and his alliance with the MacKenzies—hopefully without losing too many of his kin. The worst? Well, his clan dead and decimated and his body hung in pieces on his wall as a warning to others not to cross the MacLerie.

  She stirred in his bed, in his bed where he’d always dreamt of having her, so he finished the wine and went back to her. As he moved behind her and drew her close, his body reacted. Instead of waking, she just wiggled back against him, nestling beside him.

  Rob had many questions to ask and things to think about, but when the dawn came, he was no closer to resolution than before. Lilidh slept through the knock on the door and never moved as he left. His questions would have to wait until this night.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Lilidh heard the knocking on the door, but her body resisted the call to wake. As she pushed the covers back, she discovered herself completely naked. She tried to gather her hair into a neat queue, but it was wildly loose all around her shoulders. Sliding to the side of the bed, she glanced around for something to use as a bed-robe. Finding none, she pulled her gown over her head and tugged it into place.

  Before she could find the brush needed to conquer the tangles in her hair, the door opened and Beathas led a cadre of servants in behind her. Two men rolled in the wooden tub and placed it near the hearth. In this bigger chamber, there was more room to move around it. Buckets of steaming water followed. Other bathing supplies as well as bedclothes were delivered before everyone turned and left—except for Beathas, who stood by the door giving her a very knowing look.

  ‘Let me check your head, dearie,’ Beathas said as she walked over to Lilidh. ‘Rob said it might have been bleeding last night.’

  Bleeding? Her head had not bled …

  But that would explain away any signs of blood on the bed, if any was there. So she sat and let Beathas have her look.

  ‘The stitches look fine, but they will need to come out soon,’ the woman declared, still watching her with a strange expression. ‘Here, now, let me help you into the bath. Rob was quite insistent that you have one this morn.’

  ‘I can manage on my own, Beathas,’ she said, rising from the chair where she sat and walking over to the tub. She turned back to dismiss the woman when she found her frowning.

  ‘Did no one ever see to you, lass? I’ve seen your leg, so there’s no reason to try to hide it from me.’

  Ah. When she was unconscious. She should have known.

  ‘Did Rob also see it?’ she asked. Beathas tsked as she moved around the chamber, gathering up dirty clothing that needed washing and pulling the used sheets from the bed.

  ‘Anyone who has seen the injuries of a battle would think it tame in comparing it.’

  ‘Only Isla has seen it recently. Before that the healer and my parents when it happened. ’Tis not something I wish to show others.’ If her tone was a bit sharp, surely Beathas would understand the private nature of her injury.

  ‘Isla is your maid?’ Beathas asked. Walking towards her, the older woman motioned towards the gown she wore and Lilidh nodded allowing her approach.

  ‘Twas true. The healer had seen her leg before so there was no use or purpose to be gained by hiding it from her. And having help in her bath would be a luxury. She stood as the woman lifted the gown off and then held her steady as she climbed into the tub. Sliding down, she noticed that the soreness in her leg was not the only one in her body.

  ‘She was. Until she was killed when Symon attacked me.’ It simply did not feel real to her that Isla could be gone.

  The woman continued to help her wash, untangle her hair and see to her needs.

  Some time later, as Lilidh sat by the fire dressed and brushing her hair out, there was a quick knock on the door and it opened. Rob walked in and she waited to see if matters between them had changed now that he knew her truth.

  ‘Can you come down to the kitchens?’ he asked. ‘There is something I think you should see.’

  He stood with his hand out to her and she could not tell much from his expression or words. Knowing her difficulties with the stairs, he would not have asked this of her on a whim. Beathas handed her a plaid shawl and she followed Rob to the steps. It took some time, but he did not rush her at all. When they reached the main floor, he waited for her catch her breath.

  ‘I should have ordered the bath after you did this,’ he offered, smiling at her.

  ‘No, I had a good long soak and it feels fine.’

  She wondered if he would speak of more intimate issues between them. They walked in silence, though he let her walk on her own as they passed through the great hall and headed for the kitchens. This was much different from the last time she walked this path. Though there were many within the hall, none seemed to bother with her for now. Escorted by Rob, she made her way into the kitchen area where Siusan stood waiting.

  ‘Am I to work here again?’ she asked, uncertain about what was his plan in this.

  ‘No,’ he answered as they followed Siusan down a smaller corridor to the chamber at the end.

  Siusan opened the door and allowed them to enter. Although neither had said anything alarming, Lilidh held her breath as she walked into the chamber. There, on a small pallet, rested an older woman. Isla?

  It could not be!

  But it was her and she lay with her eyes closed. Lilidh stumbled over to her side, taking her hand and whispering her name over and over until her maid opened her eyes and met her gaze.

  ‘Isla. I am gladdened to see you alive,’ she said. ‘How do you feel?’

  ‘A bit weak, my lady,’ she whispered. ‘But I wi’ be on my feet and takin’ care of you soon, I promise.’

  ‘Hush now, you rest and recover, Isla. I am fine.’

  She closed her eyes once more and seemed to fall into a deep sleep then, but Lilidh could not let go of her hand. Glancing around through the tears that now filled her own eyes, she found Rob watching her from the doorway. ‘I thought her dead.’

  ‘I know. And until just this morn when Beathas declared her strong enough to live, we thought she would not survive.’ Rob walked to her side. ‘I did not want you to mourn twice if you did not need to,’ he said softly against her ear.

  She nodded her head because words were not possible at that moment.

  ‘You may remain with her until nightfall. Call a guard if you need to return to my chambers before that,’ he instructed.

  Lilidh turned to thank him, but he’d gone and only Siusan remained. ‘How long has she been here?’

  ‘They found her the day after you were brought here. A wound to her head, much like yours.’

  ‘And you have been caring for her?’ Lilidh asked.

  ‘Some of the women, too,’ Siusan replied.

  ‘I will sit with her now,’ she offered. ‘Is there anything I should know about her care?’

  Siusan pointed out se
veral items, a concoction left by Beathas as well as fresh bandages if she had need of them, and then left her with instructions to keep the door closed at all times. Something she’d not noticed before—a tray of food along with broth for Isla—also waited for her to break her fast. Nodding her understanding, Lilidh watched as Siusan left.

  She pulled a stool over and rearranged the table that held the food and supplies so she could reach everything and still touch Isla’s hand. She ate and watched the rise and fall of her maid’s chest. At least she lived. When her father arrived, she would try to convince Rob to let the woman go home to Lairig Dubh.

  The day was moving slowly, all the while memories of the night before kept seeping into her thoughts. She relived it all in her mind, every touch, every kiss, everything. A good thing no one else was there and watching or they would wonder at the constant blush on her face. The wanton had had her way and was satisfied by what had happened between her and Rob. But what now? What came next?

  Siusan returned from time to time with clothing to mend and small tasks she could do while at Isla’s side. She spoke to her maid, though she was unsure if she heard anything throughout the day. Isla roused several times, mumbled a few words and then slept again. When the noises from the kitchens grew louder, she knew it was nearing nightfall as they finished the work on the evening meal.

  And time to return to Rob’s chambers.

  How would it be between them now? Would he demand the truth from her? She guessed that a man liked to know if he was or was not a woman’s first, but did it matter now?

  As she waited for the guard, she thought on her own feelings about this. It had been thrilling. More pleasure than she could have guessed could happen. She knew how a man and woman joined, but the way he used his mouth on her was a shock to her. Who could have thought something like that possible? Her body shivered then, reminding her of just how wonderful it had been between them.

  Was that to be the end of it, then?

  She’d convinced herself to take advantage of the chance to be with him before this was over, but what now? Should she seek out the small lonely bed in the laird’s chamber and retain what little of her honour she could? Or should she live as she wished to as long as this fantasy existed and go back to her real life with enough memories to last for her whole life long?

  First she must speak to Rob, but how could she admit to him that her husband found her so displeasing he could not consummate their vows? Though men would ignore much for a bit of bedplay, apparently as her father had warned her, Iain MacGregor could not. So, she had borne the shame alone until now. How could she even admit such a thing aloud to him?

  Would he ask?

  She bade Isla farewell and left her in the care of a young servant girl for the night. Lilidh hoped Rob would permit her to return on the morrow. The guard must have be given orders, for his pace was slow as they made their way down the corridor, through the kitchens and out a different door that would have them go around the hall. Since she wanted no more interactions with Tyra, she was glad of it.

  But, just before they turned to go up the stairs, she peered into the entry of the hall and saw Rob sitting at the high table with only Tyra. Symon was not to be seen. The hall was filled so there was no way he could hear her. He turned his head at just that moment and their gazes met. Even from this distance she could feel or read the desire in his for her. She shivered so much, in anticipation, in remembering, that the guard reached out to steady her.

  Wrapping the shawl around her shoulders, she followed him up the stairs to wait on Rob’s return … and all that meant for them this night.

  Tyra followed his gaze. Not that she needed to in order to know what he looked at—or rather, who. She knew the slut stood at the back of the hall from the way his eyes softened and stared. He’d stopped with his hand halfway to his mouth, like the village idiot unable to feed himself. He seemed to gather his wits and realise what he must look like, for he coughed and put the bread down and lifted his cup instead.

  She took a deep breath and let it out, exhausted now from hours of waiting for him to punish her for disobeying his orders. Nothing could be clearer than his order that the MacLerie woman was his and no one was to touch her. Though she imagined it was like a dog marking his territory against incursion, she did not fool herself into believing that her striking the bitch was not disobeying him.

  So, she prepared herself all day for the summons or the angry interruption from him. Laird Rob Matheson. She understood power—its uses and misuses. She understood that she’d overstepped the boundaries he’d set around his little bedmate. She understood after living with a father who did not allow anyone to disobey his word, or punishment would follow for that defiance.

  She would hold Rob to the same standard to which she held her father and her brother—if he hit her, he’d better kill her or she would be the last one standing. Her father had laughed at her bold words, but she was here and he was under the dirt in the burial grounds next to the chapel. Her brother tended to think he was in charge and she let him think that—it was easier to control and guide him that way. The fool!

  Now, it was Rob’s turn.

  So, when he greeted her attendance at his table with a warm smile, chills ran down her back. The smile and soft tone worried her more than when her father would rant and rail. His gentle touch on her shoulder as he passed by her to his chair made gooseflesh rise on her skin. Dinner became a tense time as she waited for him to lash out at her.

  Since every living person within Keppoch Keep knew she’d struck Lilidh MacLerie, it would stand to reason that he would retaliate in public so that all could witness. It’s what men of power did. Against her will, Tyra became skittish. Every time he lifted his hand, she braced. Each time he turned his attention to her, she waited for his harsh words and threats.

  And the meal went on in peace. The conversation pleasant especially since her brother who tended to be sulky and bitter was absent.

  Now, he sat there with a stupid grin on his face, watching the girl climb the steps to his chambers. She probably should feel some gratitude that the MacLerie’s daughter was the target of his lust and she was not. As his betrothed, no one would naysay his rights to her even before the vows were spoken. Indeed, many betrothed anticipated their vows often. Her own mother was carrying her at the wedding to her father.

  If he had chosen to take her to his bed in these months before their wedding, no one would have questioned him. That he instead chose to rut Lilidh MacLerie like she was a bitch in heat was a good thing in her estimation. It made her life easier and allowed her time and caused enough distraction to him for her to put her plans in place.

  So, she allowed herself a momentary victory of a sort—she’d not been reprimanded or even questioned about the incident with Lilidh this morning. Letting out her breath for the first time all day, the shock of his words and tone caught her by surprise.

  ‘You seem to think my orders do not apply to you, lady, but they do. Most certainly,’ he said in a low voice that did not carry past their table. He leaned in towards her, a smile on his features that was as false as the one usually on hers. ‘If you go near her, if you send someone to her, if you speak of or to her, I will get rid of you once and for all.’

  Though part of her wanted to laugh as if he jested, another part of her deep inside grew alarmed by his demeanour. She waited now for the blow, more nervous than she’d ever been.

  ‘Do you understand my words, Tyra?’ he asked, his voice softer and more menacing than before.

  Fearful that she might cry out, she could only shake her head in reply. He accepted it and leaned back in his chair.

  ‘Goodnight then, lady,’ he said so that all could hear. ‘Seek your bed and I wish you fair dreams.’

  Tyra forced a smile on her face as she stood. She did not make the mistake of taking her gaze off him as she curtsied low and then turned to leave.

  Once back in her chambers, she dismissed her maids and readied
herself for bed. And she planned her next steps. Symon had almost accepted the bastard’s offer of friendship and a place at his board. The fool would accept the scraps, but she would not.

  Distrust would provide a powerful weapon to keep the two apart. Tyra knew what she needed to do. Arrangements were already in place. Executing the next part of her plan would be relatively easy.

  Executing, she thought. Laughing at the word, she fell asleep easily that night.

  Lairig Dubh

  Connor stood and watched over the yard from his favourite place high on the walls. It was the place where Jocelyn would wait for him and where they spent many pleasurable moments. Now, he remained here and reconsidered his plan—something he did not do well or often. After sending Rurik, Duncan and Jocelyn to Keppoch to get Lilidh back, he wondered if the sins of his past were coming back to haunt him.

  Obsessed would be a better word, for he had lost several nights of sleep over the last week. Part of him wondered if he’d made the right decision in forcing his foster son to disavow his love for Lilidh and leave. Part wondered if, in failing to rise to his challenge, Rob had indeed proven himself unworthy as he thought he was. And a deeper part had thought and hoped that Rob would have defied his edict and claimed Lilidh. Now, it seemed that the fates laughed at him once more as he must intervene again between Rob and Lilidh.

  The one thing that truly plagued him was that Rob had done this simply to get Lilidh back. And to prove he could and would best the Beast in a contest of wills and abilities.

  Was this all about Lilidh, then? Rob had not indicated any interest in her in the years since his departure. Not when matches for her hand were being considered. Not when the first talk of ending the alliance between their clans began and not even now. The demand received was gold for her safe return. No offer of marriage.

  So, it would seem that Rob was not worthy of his daughter—not now, not then. Or was he?

  Connor let the winds buffet him as he thought about the matter. The moon had risen high in the sky when he stepped from the shelter of the alcove and called out to one of the men below.